Talk about a June swoon. We can't think of two worse back-to-back losses than the ones the Red Sox suffered Tuesday and Wednesday nights, simply dreadful. Terry Francona seems to be making all the wrong decisions and players are fielding like they've got "Chico's Bail Bonds" ironed on the back of their jerseys.

To make matters worse, these losses were to the Yankees, and dropped Boston 7½ games behind New York in the AL East, the largest deficit since Grady Little's crew fell that low last August.

Things don't appear to be getting any better, either. The Sox were 11-14 in the month of June, and may have lost setup man Scott Williamson with an elbow injury Wednesday night.

The doctor isn't in, but feel free to sit on our couch and vent your feelings on the Sox. Can they turn this around? How? What are they doing wrong? Is this Francona's fault, or does the blame lie higher up the chain with Theo and the Trio? Or are the players to blame? Trade Nomar? Acquire a first baseman? Bring back Grady? It's open season ...

Page 27

I think it's time to admit some things. First, this team is simply not as good as people thought. Sometimes statistics can mislead but in this case they don't. The high errors, the unearned runs, the number of men left on base. Championship teams don't have these kind of numbers, even good teams don't. Second, this whole KOOL AID philosophy swallowed by the management and coaching staff that you don't move runners over with sacrifices, that you don't need to hit and run, that you never need to manufacture some runs at the expense of giving away an out is a FLAWED baseball philosophy. Yes it's okay to play for the big inning some of the time, but GAME SITUATIONS and TEAM SLUMPS dictate that you try to create some scoring chances with productive outs, if necessary. The Sox could take a cue from the Yankees' Joe Torre in this regard. He knows very well it's good baseball sense to blend in some "smal ball" sometimes even with the power hitters they possess. Somebody should tell Theo that you can't always run a team based on these new statistical theories that are so popular these days. Look at last years failed "bullpen by committee idea the Red Sox endorsed before it blew up their face". And if I hear Terry Francona say we have to just "play the game the right way" again I think I'm going to throw the remote. I've even heard of drinking games sprouting up that center around this Francona mantra of meaningless cliches.

MIchael , Amherst, MA

Who Cares!!!!!! Lets just end all hope in July, instead of October!!!!! NOMAAAA... For Zito.....

Bully, Derry NH

Don't worry! It happens EVERY YEAR!! Here is something to look forward to. The Patriots start camp in 3 weeks!! They KNOW how to WIN!!!

Daniel, Woburn

The sox were playing much better when players had designated positions for every game. Since players are coming off the DL Terry Francona is trying to play everyone and keeps moving players around and giving others the day off. This isn't Little League!!! He has to get stability back to reduce the number of errors and unearned runs. Plus, starting pitchers don't have to pitch 6 innings! If they are having an off night, ie. walk 2 in a row or have a bleeding thumb, get them out before 4 runs come across. If you know a pitcher has trouble in the 5th or 6th, have a relief warming in case you need him. We have too much good talent to let it be wasted on poor management!! Tampa is quickly approaching us in the standings.

Eileen , Easthampton, MA

I have 3 words for you......New England PATRIOTS!!!!!!!! I don't understand how so many people can live and die w/ a team that's done nothing but lose for 86 years now. Thank God I grew up on Larry Bird's Celtics and the Patriots. That doesn't mean I don't root for the Sox, but cmon people. How naive can you be? The last time I invested any emotional stock in this team was 1986. Need I remind you all of what happened that season? Needless to say, I haven't cared since and I'm a happier person for it! My advice to the long suffering fans of Sox nation(I believe you all deserve a winner), get the DVD 3 games to Glory and keep it handy! Oh by the way, the Sox aren't ruining your summer. Get over this team and move to Patriots nation. The Champs go for number 3 starting July 27th! There endeth the lesson!

R.J., Franklin

Well, my heart was ripped out again, but at least I was ready for it. I voiced out loud to my friend last night that even though we were up 2-0, it still felt like we were losing. You just knew something freaky would happen, and of course, it did. I didn't mind the blowout the night before. With Vazquez pitching, I didn't expect us to win. But this one hurts. Last year's defense was average at best, but nothing to be proud of, so we get rid of Walker (who played stellar defense in the playoffs, I might add) and add a defensive wizard, and whadaya know, our defense is even worse this year! Hopefully Theo realizes soon that it takes more than sabermetrics to win ballgames. It takes alot of heart, and alot of guts. Games are played on grass, not on paper. Statistics don't mean everything. After all, we've scored more runs and given up less than the Yankees, yet we're 7 1/2 out. There's a seriuos problem here. Theo needs to make one major move to shake things up.

JOHN , PORT ST LUCIE

Here's a few thoughts... First thing that needs to be done is keep the players in the positions they have played through most of thier career. Where did this idea of moving players to a different position every night come from? 60 errors by 1 July? That is horrible not to mention the worst in MLB. Keep the best players on the field in thier rightful postions. Second, keep MILLAR at first!!!!!!! He was the heart of the team the second half of last season. He cares about the team and the game more than any player I have seen in Boston Red since Wade Boggs. Some players are out for nothing but the money, namely Pedro. I am 29 and have been a Sox fan since I could see. I love Nomar but if he does truely bleed Red Sox red than he needs to prove it, not be so greedy, and take a cut in pay. He's hitting .239. No player who bats .239 gets paid 20 million dollars per year. Wake up Nomar and accept the gifts given to you. I will say one thing about pedro...37 years old and not Roger Clemens. He should not get more than $5 million per year if that. Here is the Line up that the Red Sox should have if they want to win. 1. Damon-CF, 2. Garciaparra-SS, 3. Manny-LF, 4. Ortiz-DH, 5. Millar-1B, 6. Nixon-RF, 7. Varitek-C, 8. Reese-2B, 9. Bellhorn-3B (until Mueller comes back then switch reese and Mueller 8-9). Every night without fail this should be our lineup. Barring injury these are the positions where these players are at their best. Let them play there. Stop switching positions EVERY SINGLE NIGHT!!! One last thing, if the stinkees I mean Yankees are going after Randy Johnson then we may look into that for the run at the end of this season. We have an in with Schilling an he may be able convince Johnson to join the magic. Hey you in the owners box, give up a few more profits and get us Johnson. The last time the Sox went to the world series was 18 years ago, the last time they won, 1918. 18 and 18. the last time they went to the world series 1986, the last time they won, 86 years ago, 86 and 86. One final stat, the last time they went to the world series I was 11 and went to Fenway that year. Well I have my ticket for Sept. 4th and will be there this year. :-) No matter what happens the Red Sox will always be my team but I want to see them win for my Grandpa who is 83 and been a sox fan his entire life without a Championship. Just one time would be nice. Good luck the rest of the year boys. It's time to start something. Play every game as it's the last of the season and you will start winning.

Jeremy C., North Adams, Ma

The sox need to stop stranding runners and learn how to play the field. The team has 61 unearned runs for the season and is near the top of the league in stranded runners. Put those two together and you have a team that has no chance of winning it all.

Sean, Brookline

I bet you Red Sox fans wish you had Grady Little back, because as of last year at this time the Sox were still in the hunt. Grady Little has way too much class to return to an organization that should be flushed down the toilet !!!!

Jane, Baltimore, MD

There's always next century!

Buzz, New Jersey